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By:

Dr. Abhilash Dawre

19 March 2025 at 5:18:41 pm

Rs 27 crore worth narcotics seized; inter-state cartel uncovered

Thane : In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, Mumbra police have seized a massive stockpile of mefedrone valued at approximately 27.21 crore. Acting on critical intelligence, the Narcotics Control Unit conducted a special operation extending as far as Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the arrest of five key drug traffickers involved in supplying large quantities of mefedrone to the Thane region.   The operation was led by Assistant Police Inspector Rohit Kedar and Ganesh Jadhav under...

Rs 27 crore worth narcotics seized; inter-state cartel uncovered

Thane : In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, Mumbra police have seized a massive stockpile of mefedrone valued at approximately 27.21 crore. Acting on critical intelligence, the Narcotics Control Unit conducted a special operation extending as far as Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the arrest of five key drug traffickers involved in supplying large quantities of mefedrone to the Thane region.   The operation was led by Assistant Police Inspector Rohit Kedar and Ganesh Jadhav under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector Anil Shinde. The initial seizure took place near Bilal Hospital, where suspect Basu Sayyed was caught with 23.5 grams of mefedrone. Further interrogation revealed a large-scale supply chain sourcing drugs from Madhya Pradesh.   Subsequently, police arrested Ramsingh Gujjar and Kailas Balai, recovering an additional 3.515 kilograms of mefedrone from their possession. Investigations traced the supply back to two major traffickers Manohar Gurjar and Raju Mansuri based in Madhya Pradesh.   The Mumbra police team then traveled to Madhya Pradesh, arresting both Gurjar and Mansuri and confiscating a staggering 9.956 kilograms of mefedrone from them.   In total, the operation resulted in the seizure of 13.6295 kilograms of mefedrone, with a street value exceeding 27.21 crore. All five accused have been taken into custody.   According to police sources, the arrested individuals have prior records involving serious offenses under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Indian Penal Code, and Arms Act. They were engaged in trafficking mefedrone in bulk quantities from Madhya Pradesh to the Thane region.   This successful operation was carried out under the guidance of ACP Priya Damale (Kalwa Division), Senior Police Inspector Anil Shinde, Crime Inspector Sharad Kumbhar, and supported by the NDPS unit officers and staff of Mumbra Police Station.   Since January this year, Mumbra police’s NDPS unit has conducted 954 seizures and 58 raids, confiscating narcotics worth over 48 crore, significantly impacting drug trafficking activities in the area.

Post H-1B Fee: Maharashtra’s IT Potential in Tier 2 & 3 Cities

The H-1B fee surge presents a unique opportunity for Maharashtra’s emerging IT hubs if backed by government incentives.

The United States’ recent decision to impose a one-time fee of $100,000 on new H-1B visa petitions from 21 September 2025. This move marks more than a regulatory change—it signals a global reset in sourcing technology talent. For decades, Indian IT professionals have been the backbone of the U.S. tech industry, but with this steep cost increase, firms will now seek more affordable alternatives.


This shift is an opportunity India—and particularly Maharashtra—cannot afford to miss. While Tier 1 hubs remain strong, the real potential lies in Maharashtra’s Tier 2 and 3 cities.


New Opportunities for India

For U.S. firms—or companies serving American clients—the cost of hiring Indian engineers in the United States can be prohibitive, with visa expenses adding up to $100,000 per hire. Offshore delivery centres in India, offering a 70–80 per cent cost advantage, present a more viable alternative.


India’s established outsourcing ecosystem, large English-speaking talent pool, and global reputation for reliable service delivery give it a clear edge over other destinations. IT growth is no longer limited to Tier 1 hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune; Tier 2 cities are increasingly able to support expansion, backed by improving infrastructure and a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.


Potential of Tier 2 Cities

Nagpur

  • MIHAN SEZ (Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport) hosts Infosys, TCS, and Tech Mahindra.

  • Centrally located, equidistant from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata—ideal for logistics and data centres.

  • 25+ engineering colleges produce over 15,000 graduates annually.


Nashik

  • Traditionally an agro-industry and manufacturing hub, now emerging as a startup and IT centre.

  • Office rents are 60% lower than in Pune/Mumbai, attracting GCCs (Global Capability Centres).

  • Growing number of startups in fintech, agritech, and AI.

  • 8,000–10,000 graduates emerge annually from local and nearby colleges.


Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

  • Strong manufacturing base (auto, pharma, textiles) now expanding into IT.

  • AURIC Smart City offers plug-and-play IT infrastructure.

  • Government incentives include land, power, and tax concessions for IT firms.


Kolhapur

  • Traditionally agricultural and industrial, now moving into IT services and startups.

  • Large NRI community from the Gulf and Europe—potential for reverse investment.

  • A pleasant environment adds to its appeal.


Solapur

  • Known for textiles, now designated as a future IT cluster under Maharashtra’s 2023 IT Policy.

  • Low-cost land and government-backed incubation centres support growth.


To fully seize this opportunity, the Maharashtra government would need to roll out single-window clearance policies to attract companies—a step well within reach in today’s policy climate. This should be complemented by large-scale investment in IT parks across Tier 2 and Tier 3 hubs, along with incentives such as stamp duty and power tariff concessions. Offering tax holidays of five to seven years for companies setting up in IT clusters could further boost investor interest. At the same time, robust skill-development programmes to train thousands of youth annually, coupled with significant funding and support for research and development, would help build a sustainable ecosystem for long-term growth.


Startup & Innovation Ecosystem

Nashik and Nagpur have recorded a 300 per cent surge in startup registrations over the past five years. Entrepreneurs' focus has been on sectors such as FinTech, AI, EdTech, AgriTech, and EV solutions.


Government-backed incubators in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Solapur are helping nurture this momentum by offering seed funding and mentoring support. By 2030, Maharashtra’s smaller cities could collectively be home to more than 2,000 startups.


Seizing the Opportunity

The H-1B fee hike has made offshore outsourcing the most cost-effective option for U.S. companies. While Tier 1 Indian cities will remain at the forefront, Maharashtra’s Tier 2 and 3 hubs present the real opportunity. To unlock this potential, the government must focus on:


  • Infrastructure – Reliable power, internet, IT parks, and co-working spaces.

  • Talent Development – University tie-ups for AI, cloud, and cybersecurity training.

  • Policy Execution – Faster rollout of IT policy incentives.

  • NRI Engagement – Structured channels for diaspora investments.

  • Branding – Position Nagpur, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as global IT destinations.


If executed well, Maharashtra could create 50,000–70,000 new IT jobs in smaller cities, driving significant economic gains and fostering more inclusive growth beyond Mumbai and Pune.

(The writer is a PHD in Human Resource Management based in Ahilya Nagar. Views personal.)

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